A Libertas election candidate was last night accused of "playing the race card" after claiming Ireland's borders should be closed to stop any future influx of foreign nationals.

Raymond O'Malley, who is running in the European elections in the East constituency, said the

borders should be closed to the 10 accession states as long as Ireland's high unemployment rate persists.

The Libertas candidate claimed over 29,000 PPS numbers were handed out to foreign nationals since January of this year.

"I think we've got to stop it. I think we have to look after our own people," Mr O'Malley said.

Asked if "barriers" should be put up, Mr O'Malley said: "As long as we've this rate of unemployment, yes."

Given the current economic difficulties and the rising unemployment rates, no additional foreign nationals should be given residency, he argued. However, those already resident in Ireland should be allowed remain.

"They're here. They're very welcome and they'll have to stay," he told 'The Last Word' with Matt Cooper on Today FM.

"There's been a funnel effect because Ireland was only one of three EU countries that allowed the accession states to have free access to our labour market."